New NHS 222 phone service for second opinions

Recent criticism of the NHS 111 phone service has seen medical professionals set up a new service to offer second opinions.

From next Monday, anyone unhappy with the advice they receive from 111 can call 222 and get and have the initial assessment reviewed. Stung by the teething troubles the 111 line suffered immediately after launch, clinical commissioning groups have been quick to provide further support to users.

"The first couple of months after launch of NHS 111 have been difficult", a consultant working on the project told us, "with poor customer satisfaction ratings. We are confident that offering the second opinion service will help people hear what they want to and we anticipate satisfaction scores rising accordingly. Because that's what it's all about. Obviously".

111 has yet to be fully rolled out across England, but all future roll-outs will see 222 set up alongside 111 at the same time.